A Bury St Edmunds shopping centre is now fully let for the first time, signalling how “desirable” the town has become.

East Anglian Daily Times: A Byron burger restaurant is coming to Bury St Edmunds.A Byron burger restaurant is coming to Bury St Edmunds. (Image: Contributed)

The Arc is 100% let since opening six years ago, with jewellery shop PANDORA and hamburger restaurant Byron set to join the mix of well-known brands. For both of these companies it will be their first outlet in Suffolk.

Arc centre manager, Colin Roberts, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming two more leading brands to Arc which will only add to the attraction of our town as a great shopping destination.

“Pandora is a world-leading brand and Byron a growing, quality brand that will give our visitors another great dining option while they shop.

“In addition to these great new arrivals, to be able to say that we are 100% let just shows what a wonderful and desirable town Bury St Edmunds has become.”

Mark Cordell, chief executive of the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) group, Ourburystedmunds, said this news confirmed how highly-regarded it is as an up-and-coming retail centre.

“We know in the town the current vacancy rate for units is 6.5% which is well below the national average of 10%, and within the town there are two or three restaurants/cafes actively looking for a site,” he said. “We mustn’t be complacent, but I’m delighted Bury continues to be a successful place to run a business.”

Alaric Pugh, cabinet member for planning and growth at St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said “it just gets better and better”.

“I think Bury was thought to be punching above its weight, but actually it’s showing that really it’s coming to be one of the first choices for retailers looking for an exciting new audience. I’m very pleased indeed.”

Byron will be opening in an expanded unit 19A, opposite Carluccio’s, and PANDORA will be in the former Wallis unit.

Their opening dates are not yet known.